About the Dividend Yield Calculator
Dividend yield tells you how much cash income a stock or fund pays each year relative to its price. This dividend yield calculator converts the dividend you see announced — whether paid monthly, quarterly, twice a year or annually — into an annual dividend per share and a yield percentage, then shows the income on the number of shares you own or plan to buy.
It is useful for income investors comparing dividend stocks, REITs and ETFs, and for checking a quoted yield against the latest declared payout. Enter your original purchase price to see your yield on cost, and a dividend growth rate to project how your annual income could rise over the next ten years.
Annualizing the latest regular payment gives a forward (indicated) yield. Trailing yield uses the dividends actually paid over the past 12 months; enter that total with the "annual" frequency to calculate it. Special one-time dividends should be left out of a forward yield.
With the default inputs, the dividend yield is 2.56%. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the dividend yield calculator
- 1Enter the current share price.
- 2Enter the latest regular dividend per share and how often it is paid.
- 3Enter how many shares you own to see your income.
- 4Optionally add your cost per share and an expected dividend growth rate.
Formula and method
The annual dividend per share is the regular payment multiplied by the number of payments per year. Dividing it by the current share price gives the dividend yield, the cash income you would earn each year per dollar invested at today’s price if the dividend stays the same.
Yield on cost uses your original purchase price instead of today’s price. The ten-year projection grows annual income by the dividend growth rate you enter, compounding once a year and assuming you hold the same number of shares (no reinvestment).
- D
- Dividend per payment per share
- f
- Payments per year
- Price
- Current share price
Worked examples
$0.96 quarterly dividend on a $150 stock
Four payments of $0.96 make $3.84 a year, and $3.84 ÷ $150 = 2.56%. On 100 shares that is $384 a year, or 3.2% on a $120 cost. Growing 5% a year, income reaches about $596 in year 10.
Monthly-paying REIT at $42
Twelve payments of $0.31 total $3.72 a year, an 8.86% yield at $42. Five hundred shares pay $1,860 a year, about $155 a month.
Semi-annual dividend, flat payout
Two payments of $1.50 make $3 a year, a 5% yield at $60. Bought at $45, the same dividend is a 6.67% yield on cost. With no growth, 200 shares pay $6,000 over ten years.
Frequently asked questions
How do you calculate dividend yield?+
Divide the annual dividend per share by the share price and multiply by 100. A stock paying $0.96 per quarter ($3.84 a year) and trading at $150 has a dividend yield of 2.56%.
What is the difference between forward and trailing dividend yield?+
Forward yield annualizes the most recent regular dividend, so it reflects any recent raise or cut. Trailing yield divides the dividends actually paid over the last 12 months by the current price.
What is a good dividend yield?+
Broad US stock indexes have yielded roughly 1–2% in recent years, utilities and REITs often 3–5%. Very high yields can signal that the market expects a dividend cut, so check the payout ratio and cash flow.
Why does dividend yield go up when the stock price falls?+
Yield is the dividend divided by the price. If the dividend stays the same and the price drops, each dollar invested buys more of the same payout, so the yield rises — until the company changes the dividend.
What is yield on cost?+
Yield on cost divides today’s annual dividend by the price you originally paid. For long-term holders of growing dividend stocks it can be much higher than the current yield, but it says nothing about the return available to a new buyer.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.